IES67534B2

IES67534B2 - Hitch assembly

Info

Publication number: IES67534B2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Patrick Mccormick
Original assignee: Patrick Mccormick
Priority date: 1994-11-25
Filing date: 1994-11-25
Publication date: 1996-04-03
Also published as: GB2295367B; GB2295367A; IES940924A2; GB9524198D0

Abstract

A tractor hitch assembly for releasably securing a trailer to a tractor comprising a pick-up arm 1 with a hook 7, wherein the means for releasably securing the trailer comprises a pin-receiving orifice 9A located on the pick-up arm 1 and further comprises a spring-loaded pin 16 moveable between an extended position in which it is engaged through the pin-receiving orifice 9A to secure the pick-up arm 1 and a retracted position in which it is disengaged from the pin-receiving orifice and the pick-up arm 1 is disengaged from the hitch assembly 10. A pair of flanges 13, 14 are provided with pin-guiding apertures 19 located co-axially with the axis of the pin to guide the pin into the extended position. A pin stopper 20 is provided to block the passage of the pin 16 until the orifice 9A is lined up with the apertures 19 to ensure the pick-up arm is in the correct position.

Description

The present invention relates to a hitch assembly for securing trailed implements to a tractor unit.

The invention provides a hitch assembly for securing a trailer engaging hook assembly, the hitch assembly comprising means for releasably retaining the hook assembly.

The hook assembly comprises a trailer engaging hook and an eye adapted to receive a pin. The means for retaining the hook assembly comprises a spring biased pin guided through the eye by aperture defining flanges. In an inoperational mode said means for releasably retaining the hook assembly includes a pivotally mounted member disposed between the flanges for preventing penetration therethrough by the pin.

The hitch assembly comprises a base plate for mounting the assembly to the rear of a tractor, a pair of flanges positioned perpendicularly to the base plate and a spring loaded pin operable from the cabin of the tractor via a cable.

The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, one embodiment of hitch assembly according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the hitch ** assembly and an extendible tractor hook assembly; ί» Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of a retaining pin in a closed position; 567534 Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of the retaining pin in an open position; Figure 4 shows a pin receiving eye of the tractor hook 5 assembly in an engaged position within the hitch assembly; Figure 5 shows the pin receiving eye in a disengaged position with a pin stopper flat in an engaged position; and Figure 6 shows a view similar to that of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings and initially the Figure 1s & hitch assembly 10 mounted to the rear of a tractor to receive a tractor hook assembly 1 pivotally mounted to the underside of the tractor. The hook assembly 1 comprises a hook arm 3 slidably mounted within supporting beams 5. At the free end of the hook arm 3, a hook 7 is provided to engage an eye disposed at the front of a trailable vehicle (not shown). Also mounted on the hook arm 3 is a pin receiving eye 9 which is engageable with the hitch assembly 10. The hitch assembly 10 comprises a base plate 11 for connecting to the rear of the tractor, a pair of flanges 13,14 positioned perpendicularly to the base plate 11 for receiving the pin receiving eye 9 and a spring loaded pin 16 operable from the tractor cabin via a cable 17. The flanges 13,14 are each provided with apertures 19 which when the apparatus is in use are aligned with the pin receiving eye 9 and are provided as guides for the spring loaded pin 16. In its normally biased closed position, the pin 16 penetrates the two flange apertures 19 as shown in Figure 2. When the pin receiving eye 9 is in position, the pin 16 also penetrates the eye 9 to secure the hook assembly 1 to the hitch assembly 10. When the pin receiving eye 9 is not in position, a pin stopper which is pivotally mounted between the flanges 13,14 falls across the line of travel of the pin 16 retaining the pin in an open position as shown in Figure 3. Figures to 6 illustrate the relationship between the pin receiving eye 9 of the hook assembly 1 and the pin stopper 20 of the hitch assembly 10. When the eye 9 is aligned with the flange apertures 19, the stopper 20 is pivotally moved upwardly so that the pin 16 is free to penetrate the flanges 13,14 and the eye 9. When the hook assembly 1 is elevated to engage the hitch assembly 10, the pin engaging eye 9 can either be vertically aligned as shown in Figure or can be brought into horizontal alignment as shown in Figure 6. The pin stopper 20 is profiled to ensure that the eye 9 is in a position suitable for alignment with the flange apertures 19 and that the line of travel of the pin is blocked until the pin receiving eye 9 is in position. The stopper 20 has a spur 22 to engage a stop 24 which is provided to position the pin stopper correctly and in adjacent a float pivot pin 25. A cover 26 is provided over the flanges 13,14 to avoid entrapment of dirt and more importantly fingers.

Xt will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

MACLACHLAN δ DONALDSON, Applicants' Agents, Merrion Square, DUBLIN 2.

Claims

1. A tractor hitch assembly for securing a trailer to a tractor, the hitch assembly having means for releasably 5 securing a trailer, the hitch assembly comprising a pick-up arm, wherein the means for releasably securing the trailer comprises a pin-receiving orifice located on the pick-up arm and further comprises a pin moveable between an extended position in which it is engaged through the '10 pin-receiving orifice and a retracted position in which it is disengaged from the pin-receiving orifice and the pick-up arm is disengaged from the hitch assembly.

2. A hitch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a 15 flange is provided with a pin-guiding aperture located co-axially with the axis of the pin to guide the pin, into the extended position.

3. A hitch assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, 20 wherein the pin-receiving orifice is located on a lug provided on the pick-up arm.

4. A hitch assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means for releasably securing the trailer includes a 25 pivotally mounted stop member for preventing penetration of the pin through the pin-receiving orifice so as to retain the pin in the retracted position until the lug is located in a pin-receiving position whereby, on retraction of the pin, the stop member is moveable into a blocking 30 position preventing penetration of the pin.

5. A hitch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.